Description
This Canned Tuna Pasta with Lemon is perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something delicious to eat, but are short on time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound spaghetti or linguine
- 2 cans tuna in olive oil, drained
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 anchovy filets
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- Cracked black pepper and olive oil, for finishing
Instructions
- Start boiling the water for the pasta. Be sure to salt the water just before you drop the pasta.
- Heat up the olive oil with the anchovies in a deep sauté pan. Break apart the anchovies. You will notice they will melt into the oil.
- Add the crushed red pepper, garlic and black pepper. Sauté for another minute.
- Add in a ladle of pasta water to start developing the sauce.
- As soon as the pasta is just before al dente, transfer directly to the sauce with another ladle of pasta water.
- Add in the tuna, lemon juice, lemon zest and fresh parsley. Gently toss to combine, adding additional pasta water as needed to form a sauce.
- Serve on a platter or individual bowls garnished with more fresh parsley. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and cracked black pepper.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Use a high-quality tuna in olive oil. Yellowfin or Albacore are great choices.
- Don’t overcook the pasta. The pasta should have a bit of “tooth” when transferring to the sauce. The pasta will continue cooking.
- Reserve pasta water. Add in, as needed.
- Let the anchovies melt completely into the olive oil to enhance the umami flavor.
- Modify the amount of crushed red pepper to suit your taste preference.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for a vibrant, tangy flavor.
- Taste the pasta before serving and adjust the seasoning with salt and lemon juice, as needed.
- This dish is best enjoyed fresh, so serve it right away for the best texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American, Italian